With its sparkling blue waters, phenomenal mountain scenery and endless recreation, North Lake Tahoe is a sustainable destination committed to protecting the environment and leading the way on responsibility and sustainability.
We are committed to practices that are not only environmentally friendly but also promote a more resilient and robust community. Through education programs such as Know Before You Go, the Traveler Responsibility Pledge, Wildfire and Water Safety, and COVID-19 resources, we have included visitors in our mission to be a model of sustainable practices that touch local businesses, community members and tourists alike.
The Sustainable Destinations Top 100 program recently recognized North Lake Tahoe as a global sustainable destination at a tourism trade show in Berlin, Germany. As part of the 2019 Top 100 awards, officials selected Lake Tahoe as a top destination and as second in the “Best in Nature” category for its commitment to sustainability in all its aspects.
You can see the area’s passion for healthy practices everywhere from its lakes and wildlife to the restaurants and hotels.
Lake Tahoe is one of the clearest bodies of water in the world due to its significant depth, low watershed rate and granite composition. Activities to preserve this sacred place are an effort to give something back. University researchers and government programs have dedicated resources to keeping a constant watch on the state of Lake Tahoe and its ecosystem. Several public and private groups play pivotal roles in the preservation of the Lake Tahoe Basin.
In 2015, UC Davis TERC launched the Citizen Science Tahoe app, which encourages visitors to tap in what they see at Lake Tahoe. Users can report positively or negatively on water quality, algae, litter, invasive plant sightings — even the weather. Data is shared with scientists to better understand conditions from various locations around the lake and from multiple dates throughout the year helps them understand the environment and to help everyone keep the lake clean.
Many communities take their tap water directly from Lake Tahoe, which has been named the best drinking water in the country. The water is drawn deep below the surface and far from the shore. To help Lake Tahoe retain its water purity, visitors are asked to hike on existing trails, dispose of trash properly and check for invasive species on watercrafts, including kayaks and SUPs.
How you travel matters too. Walk or bike ride whenever possible, avoiding riding bikes on muddy trails and across streams, of course.
The Lake Tahoe Basin is home to over 290 animals and more than 1,000 plant species. North Lake Tahoe flora and fauna highlight an amazing array of trees, flowers and diverse plants.
It is also home to many different types of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and insects — including Tahoe residents such as the Sierra Red Fox, Lahontan Cutthroat Trout and the Mountain Beaver.
Visitors at North Lake Tahoe are encouraged to take the pledge and commit to the six guiding principles below:
In North Lake Tahoe, the theme of cuisine is undoubtedly sustainable, seasonal and intentionally crafted. The Tahoe Food Hub, a local non-profit, provides locally-owned restaurants with fresh, in-season ingredients for local chefs to make magic with.
Foodies can sample from dishes like the Beer Brined Chicken (with local veggies and poultry) from West Shore Café, Pan Roasted California Halibut from Christy Hill or a healthy grab-and-go Harmony Wrap from Mountain High Sandwich Co.
The commitment to keeping North Lake Tahoe beautiful and green is shared among its many mindful hotels and resorts. Many have been recognized for their progressive green policies, practices and overall eco-friendliness.
Not only is Palisades Tahoe one of the largest ski resorts in the area, it’s also one of the most invested in sustainable practices. In fact, they were the first resort in North America to ban the sale of single use water bottles. While you’re enjoying its 34 lifts and 6,000 skiable acres across two mountains, you can rest assured they are committed to preserving the beauty around you for generations to come.
Northstar California is another luxury ski resort deeply committed to sustainable practices. They are working towards a goal to create the first Green Village at a U.S. ski resort and have maintained a variety of green building practices. They offer acres of diverse terrain, world-class amenities, and a Village with restaurants and shopping.
Mt. Rose Ski Resort offers Tahoe’s highest base skiing and snowboarding with a base elevation of 8,260’. They adhere to lighting, energy, and water preservation practices throughout the resort and sustainable practices outside the lodge including refraining from pesticide use on or around the resort.
Visitors should explore the comprehensive Know Before You Go content that includes guides for consumers and meeting planners to help navigate the region safely. The guides also offer sample itineraries, road trip suggestions and points of interest across North Lake Tahoe.
You can also learn about Tahoe’s fragile environment in the Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences in Incline Village offering self-guided and docent-led tours, activities and more. Here visitors can take a 3-D virtual reality flight through Lake Tahoe, peek through a microscope and view tiny aquatic creatures and learn how scientists study the lake’s water quality.
Unwind on the lake with a picturesque kayak or stand up paddle. Hike or bike the trails, take a zipline or stroll the towns. There is something for every season and every person.
North Lake Tahoe spans two states and boasts over two dozen beaches, 12 ski resorts, hundreds of miles of trails, 12 unique towns and a growing number of nationally recognized human-powered activities.
With mindfulness and environmental sustainability at its core, this year-round playground is an ideal setting for adventure-bound travelers to reconnect with natural beauty.
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